Bureaucracy distilled: Meet your local ward office
One of the many little things that you will be expected to do as a long-term resident (that is, someone on a visa that is valid for more than 90 days) is to register your residency. You may recall from an earlier post that I mentioned that upon arrival, you’re given a resident card (zairyū 在留) that is reminiscent of a driver’s license–this, along with your passport, must be taken to your local ward office (kuyakusho 区役所) to complete the registration process.
If you are accustomed to American bureaucracy, particularly the variety that thrives in places like the DMV or the Post Office, prepare yourself, because you’re going to experience something totally unexpected.